Multifunctional Support Garment

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional support garment for support of a pelvic region and abdomen of a wearer having an open torso portion extending into a respective pair of integral hollow leg members, a waistband configured for supporting the abdomen region, a gusset member adjoined to corresponding upper edges of the pair of hollow leg members configured for providing an adaptive pelvic support junction and a hammock member that may be detachable having a pair of opposed elongate detached side edges disposed between an anterior terminus and a posterior terminus, wherein the hammock member bolsters the pelvic support junction and providing a platform for adhering an absorbent pad.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This continuation in part application claims the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/132,854, filed on Dec. 23, 2020, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/121,634filed onDec. 4, 2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to support garments. Moreparticularly, the invention provides a support garment having a pelvicsupport junction configured to support the pelvic floor and a platformfor incorporating or attaching an absorbent matrix such as an absorbentpad, for shielding bodily secretions or discharges from leaking, and hasparticular efficacy during pregnancy and exercise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Strain and resulting adverse symptoms and effects associated withintense and endurance exercise, such as, for example, injuries, weakenedor compromised conditions, as well as, pregnancy impacting the lowertorso, including weakened or injured spinal, circulatory or musculatureor other anatomical dysfunction are becoming increasingly prevalent aslifestyles and work of the modern populace has become increasinglysedentary. Such conditions are often caused and/or exacerbated byoveruse caused by wear and tear, pelvic floor dysfunction weakness suchas, for example, in lichen sclerosus characterized by thin and highlyreactive skin, obesity, pregnancy, menses and incontinence sometimesresulting in embarrassing leakage of bodily fluids A confluence offactors, such as, for example, sedentary lifestyle, weight gain, poorposture and physical labor involving handling and lifting heavy objects,may exert pressure placing strain on the pelvic floor and adjacentmuscles, skeletal framework and organs that may devolve intodebilitating pain and injury. As a result of the adverse impact of suchlifestyle habits and resulting weakening of the body core musculature,dysfunction associated with weight and strain imposed on the pelvicfloor and lower torso region is common.

Exacerbation of conditions imposing pelvic floor and lower torso strainas a woman's body undergoes pronounced anatomical and physiologicalchanges during pregnancy is a particular concern. The additional weightand strain of a growing fetus in the uterus imposes increasing weightand associated strain on the prenatal woman's pelvic floor andsurrounding anatomical and circulatory systems as the pregnancyprogresses. Potential adverse impacts from the weight gain and addedpressure on the pelvic region during pregnancy include, for example,impeding blood flow and associated fluid retention manifested asswelling in her lower limbs, varicose veins, and skeletal and jointinjuries, as well as, debilitating pain, often worsening during thelatter stages of the pregnant.

An additional problem, particularly prevalent following naturalchildbirth through the birth canal, in post-natal women is heavy uterinedischarge and incontinence, particularly during exercise. In the past,women have resorted to using large, thick absorbent pads andundergarments for securing them in the crotch area.

Unfortunately, several drawbacks are attendant to such conventionalpiecemeal support garments, including bulky layers, unsightly bulges,lines, or crevices associated with uneven peripheries and seams ofmultiple layers of garments, e.g., underpants, girdles, hosiery and/orouterwear. Hence, although various undergarments and support accessorieshave been devised and combined to support the lumbar region of the spineand shield discharged bodily fluids from leakage, conventional appareland accessories fall short of addressing prevalent and widespreadproblems associated with pelvic floor and lower torso strain, that maybe exacerbated by prenatal weight gain. That is, conventional supportgarments lack sufficient compression and support for the pelvic floorand region and associated skeletal structure and abdominal organs. Afurther drawback for conventional support accessories and protectiveundergarments includes the bulk of multiple layers are uncomfortable andmay detract from the smooth appearance of the wearer's outerwear. Hence,there is a persisting need for a streamlined, facile, comfortable andadaptive support garment with improved support to counteract thepressure and strain on the pelvic floor and lower torso region,particularly for prenatal women, and thereby reduce the attendantadverse impacts such as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Addressing such and other unsolved problems and persisting needs, theinvention described and claimed herein provides a multifunctionalsupport garment having features providing flexible, adaptive and firmsupport of the pelvic and abdominal regions of a wearer, particularlythe pelvic floor and lower abdomen. A particularly advantageous featureof the present invention is a pelvic support junction configured andoriented to bolster the pelvic support junction while simultaneouslyproviding a platform for adhering absorbent pads in a versatile garmentthat can be worn alone, as an undergarment, or as outerwear. Accordingto various embodiments of the present invention, this multifunctionalsupport garment has an open torso portion having an upper portionconfigured for fitted conformance about a lower torso of the wearer anda unitary lower portion bifurcating along a midline to form symmetricalhollow leg members.

An inner top periphery of the open torso portion along an upper portionat the bifurcating split of the hollow leg members is spaced back fromat least a rear portion of a crotch region extends back toward a rearside of the upper torso portion and merge to form a symmetricallycentered concavity in a rear side of the open torso portion. The innertop periphery including the symmetrically centered concavity is adjoinedalong a continuous seam to a corresponding gusset member configured toadaptively provide pelvic support junction. Embodiments of the presentinvention further feature a waistband having a broader front portionconfigured for spanning at least a portion of the wearer's abdomen andtapering to a rear portion configured for spanning at least a portion ofthe wearer's lower back, wherein a bottom periphery of the waistband isadjoined to a corresponding upper periphery of the open torso portion soas to support at least a portion of the wearer's pelvic region. A yetfurther feature of embodiment of the present invention includes ahammock member having detached opposing side edges disposed between ananterior terminus and a posterior terminus. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, the anterior terminus and the posterior terminusare respectively centered on a midline of a front side of the open torsoportion and a midline of a rear side of the open torso portion.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the anterior terminusof the hammock member is adjoined between upper edge of the front sideof the open torso portion and a lower edge of the front portion of thewaistband such that the hammock member is centered at a midline of thefront of the open torso portion and the posterior terminus of thehammock member is affixed between an upper edge of the rear of the opentorso portion and a corresponding posterior edge of the gusset membersuch that the hammock member is centered at a midline of the rear of theopen torso portion. Embodiments of the present multifunctional supportgarment thus simultaneously provides a pelvic support junctionconfigured to support the pelvic floor and a platform for incorporatingor attaching an absorbent matrix such as an absorbent pad. Variousembodiments further feature a detachable hammock member having fastenersfor attaching the anterior terminus and posterior terminus to respectiveportions of the open torso portion adjoined or adjacent to middleportions of the bottom edge of front and rear sides of the waistband.

Such embodiments feature adjoining the gusset member to correspondinguppermost inner top peripheries of the pair of hollow leg members,wherein the gusset member is configured and oriented to adaptivelycradle the pelvic support junction. The overlaying hammock memberposterior terminus is conjoined to a rear edge of the gusset memberalong a middle portion of the rear side of the open torso portion spacedback from a crotch region of the multifunctional support garment tothereby conjunctively provide an adaptively compressive platform of thewearer's pelvic floor. In various embodiments of the present invention,the gusset member is configured to line at least a portion of a wearer'sinner thighs and may also extend toward the front side of the open torsoportion. The gusset member may extend to the upper edge of the opentorso portion in some embodiments.

According to the various embodiments of the present invention, thehammock member anterior terminus is adjoined between an upper edge ofthe front side of the open torso portion and a lower edge of the frontportion of the waistband. The posterior terminus of the hammock memberis adjoined between a corresponding posterior edge of the gusset memberand the inner top periphery of an upper portion of the leg member. Thusdisposing the hammock member provides firm support of the pelvic supportjunction and securely positions the hammock member along the pubiccrease where bodily waste is discharged. Open side edges between theanterior terminus and posterior terminus of the hammock member configurea sling providing a snug and secure platform for detachable attachmentof an absorbent pad.

The pelvic support junction provided by the present invention, asillustrated in the various figures and described herein includes ahammock member that may have various shapes, compositions, and liningsproviding analogous functions and advantages as described herein. Asused herein, “hammock member” and “sling” refers to an open-sidedplatform attached to an interior of this multifunctional support garmentso as to line the crotch region extending along a region underlying atleast the pubic crease and adjacent pelvic region between an areaproximate to the pelvic bone in the anterior of the open torso portionand an area proximate to the anal area when worn providingfunctionalities as described in detail below. Features of theillustrated embodiment are especially efficacious for support of adeveloping fetus and the abdominal organs of a maternal woman, and thelarge muscles of the core and legs during intense or sustained enduranceexercise.

As used herein, “gusset member”, refers to a piece of fabric of themultifunctional garment including leggings of the present invention thatmay be provided in various configurations and sizes dimensioned andadjoined to corresponding inner seams of leg members whereby the gussetmember spans at least a portion of a crotch region and may be expandedto also abut at least a portion of a weaer's abdomen, lower rear torso,inner thighs and inner calves. The gusset member imparts flexibility andreduces constriction such that the garment conformably hugs the abuttedportions of the wearer's body. n. The gusset member according to variousembodiments of the present invention may be seamlessly elongated into afrontal panel and/or a rear panel configured for covering the wearer'srespective front and/or rear lower torso. The gusset member may invarious embodiments of the present invention be seamlessly elongated toform inner leg panels configured for abutting at least a portion of awearer's inner thigh. In some embodiments, the gusset member beconfigured to abut at least a portion of the wearer's inner calf as wellas the inner thigh.

As used herein, “edge” or “periphery” encompasses an outer border of agarment piece extending to and including a seam adjoining pieces ormembers of the multifunctional support garment of the present invention.Accordingly, an adjoined or conjoined “edge” or periphery” includes theborder of the material from the seam to the outer edge of the member orpiece of the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a front exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a rear exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C illustrates a side exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 2 illustrates pattern pieces for cutting the multifunctionalsupport garment shown in FIGS. 1-1C from a double layer of fabric.

FIG. 3 illustrates the multifunctional support garment with phantomlines showing the hammock member in use supporting an absorbent pad.

FIG. 3A illustrates the back of the multifunctional support garmentshown in FIG. 3

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a close-up of the hammock member broken out from themultifunctional support garment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates a front exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment having leg members without outer side seams.

FIG. 6B illustrates a rear exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C illustrates a side exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

FIG. 7A illustrates a front exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment having a rear edge of gusset member and hammock memberin the rear panel extended toward the waistband.

FIG. 7B illustrates a rear exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C illustrates a side exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 8A illustrates a front exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment having a gusset member extended downwardly between innerfaces of the leg members.

FIG. 8B illustrates a rear exterior surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C illustrates a cutaway showing an exterior surface of the innerright leg member of FIGS. 8A-8B.

FIG. 9A illustrates an interior surface of the front side of themultifunctional support garment shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9B illustrates an interior surface of the rear side of themultifunctional support garment shown in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 9C illustrates an exterior side surface of the multifunctionalsupport garment shown in Figs. with the concealed hammock member andgusset member depicted in phantom lines.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 shownin FIG. 8B.

FIG. 11 illustrates the detachable hammock member shown in FIGS. 9A and9B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 1-11 depicting themultifunctional support garments 10, 10′, 10″ and 20 in the form ofleggings featuring a gusset member and a hammock member juxtapositionedto support a wearer's pelvic floor and abdomen and further providing aplatform for absorbent pads while facilitating a wide range of movementare detailed below.

Referring to FIGS. 1-11, more specific aspects of some of theillustrated embodiments include a waistband 6 configured as a continuousloop including a front side and a rear side. In some embodiments such asshown in FIGS. 1-6C, the waistband has a broader front portionconfigured to span about and thereby support a wearer's abdomen thattapers to a rear portion for fitted conformance about the lower back.Such support may be further enhanced by folding the waistband downwardlytoward the pubic bone to increase the upward pressure. The resultinggird is particularly efficacious during the latter maternal stages andfor providing post-delivery-compression and support of the wearer'sabdominal organs and pelvic floor and facilitating bonding of the skinand healing of a Cesarian section incision site.

Now referring to FIG. 2 illustrating unassembled pattern pieces togetherwith FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C respectively illustrating front, back and sideviews of assembled multifunctional support garment 10, the juxtapositionof the pattern pieces cut from a doubled single length of fabric isshown. As shown, front panel 2F includes a front side of open torsoportion 2 bifurcating in a lower portion at crotch region 2C to form afront side of leg members 4. A rear panel 2R includes a rear side ofopen torso portion 2 bifurcating at crotch region 2C to form a rear sideof leg members 4. Perpendicularly disposed from opposing ends of therespective top edges of front panel 2F and rear panel 2R are an opposedpair of outer side edges. A pair of inner side edges 21 extend fromcrotch region 2C of front panel 2F. A pair of corresponding inner sideedges 21 in rear panel 2R extend below an inner top periphery and mergein a substantially transverse seam 2T spaced back from crotch region 2Ctoward a rear side of waistband 6. Adjoining corresponding pair of rearouter side edges 20 and corresponding pair of inner side edges 21 offront panel 2F and rear panel 2R to form an aligned top edge as shown inFIGS. 1A-1C configures upper torso portion 2 adjoined at seam 8 toward abottom edge of waistband 6 and unitary leg members 4 for fittedconformance to at least a portion of the wearer's legs. Still referringto FIGS. 1A-1C, gusset member 12 configured for adaptive cradling of acrotch region of the wearer and is adjoined in alignment to acorresponding upper portion of inner side edges 21 of front panel 2F andrear panel 2R merging to form a continuous inner top periphery along asubstantially transverse seam 2T of the upper torso portion 2 at abifurcating juncture of hollow leg enclosures 4 spaced away from acrotch region 2C.

Hammock member 14 has an anterior terminus 14A adjoined toward a bottomedge of waistband 6 at middle portion of lower edge 6A and a posteriorterminus 14B adjoined together with a posterior edge 12B of gussetmember 12 by a substantially transverse seam 2T along an inner topperiphery of the adjoined pair of inner seams 21 such that at least arear portion of gusset member 12 forms a middle portion disposed in rearpanel 2R whereto a respective corresponding posterior edge 12B of gussetmember 12 and posterior terminus 14B of hammock member 14 are adjoined.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-2, such adjoined alignment of correspondinginner side edges 21 and outer side edges 20 of the front panel 2F andthe rear panel 2R forms a pair of symmetrical hollow leg members 4configured for fitted conformance with at least a portion of thewearer's legs bifurcating from crotch region 2C of an open torso portion2 configured for fitted conformance with the wearer's lower torso. Alower edge 6A disposed in a middle portion of waistband 6 is adjoined toa corresponding top edge of a middle portion of the open torso portion 2where the anterior terminus 14A of hammock member 14 is simultaneouslyadjoined in seam 8 along a middle portion toward the lower edge 6A ofwaistband 6 and the top edge of the lower torso portion 2 such thatanterior terminus 14A is centered on the front of the waistband 6 andfront panel 2F and the posterior terminus 14B is adjoined between aposterior edge 12B of gusset member 12 and substantially transverse seam2T of the concave inner periphery of adjoined rear leg portions of rearpanel 2R such that the posterior terminus 14B is disposed in a middleportion spaced back from the crotch region of the rear panel 2R. A frontedge 12A of gusset member 12 is attached along seams adjoining acorresponding upper portion of inner side edges 21 and top innerperiphery 2T of the rear side of open torso portion 2.

A particular advantageous feature of-various embodiments, such asillustrated in FIGS. 1-7C, is that side edges of hammock member 14, 14′,14″ are detached and thereby form a sling for underlying the pubiccrease and adjacent pelvic region imparting pelvic floor support regionfor a wearer. As may be most clearly depicted in FIGS. 2A, 6A, 7Aanterior terminus 14A, 14A′, 14A″ of hammock member 14, 14′, 14″ areadjoined, e.g., by sewing, to a respective middle portion the open torsoportion 2, 2′, 2″ so as to orient the front portion of hammock member14, 14′, 14″ proximal to the pubic bone of a wearer. Now referring toFIGS. 2B, 6B, 6C, 7B and 7C, posterior terminus 14B, 14B′, 14B″ ofhammock member 14, 14′, 14″ are adjoined proximate to a rear edge ofgusset member 12, 12′,12″ and substantially transverse inner topperiphery seam 2T such that opposed side edges of the hammock member 14,14′, 14″ are left detached. Thus adjoining hammock member 14, gussetmember 12, 12′, 12″, waistband 6, 6′, 6″ and upper torso portion 2, 2′,2″ such as depicted in the illustrated configurations provides a nexusof pelvic floor support. In embodiments such as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7C, opposing anterior and posterior terminuses of the hammock member 14,14′, 14″ respectively sewn along seam 8 conjoining a middle portion ofthe front side of the open torso portion 2, 2′, 2″ toward a middleportion of the bottom edge 6A of waistband 6 and the corresponding topedge of the rear side of open torso portion 2, 2′, 2″ whereto a backedge of gusset member 12, 12′, 12″ is adjoined along a middle portion ofthe rear side of seam 8. Opposing side edges of hammock member 14, 14′,14″ are detached to simultaneously provide adaptive support and aplatform for attachment of absorbent pad 16.

Attachment of the anterior terminus of the hammock member 14 and 14D toan upper edge of the front side of the open torso portion toward loweredge 6A of the waistband 6 so the attachment seam 8 is proximal to thepelvic bone when worn and posterior terminus 14B toward a rear edge ofgusset member 12 comfortably orients hammock member 14 along thesensitive perineum region of the pubic crease and leverages compressivepressure imparted by the pelvic support junction and supporting thepelvic floor when properly fitted about a wearer. The configuration andjuxtaposition of gusset member 12, hammock member 14, waistband 6 andopen torso portion 2 imparts upward compression for support of thepelvic floor and organs thereby enhancing lifting action to therebysupport a wearer's pelvic floor and surrounding musculature, as well as,associated skeletal structure, circulatory system and organs.

FIGS. 8A-11 illustrate exemplary configuring of the pelvic supportjunction components of the present multifunctional support garmentwhereby an elongated gusset member 12L extends downward from atransverse seam 2T in a rear side of open torso portion 22 extendingupward to within about 3-4 inches of waistband 26 to seamlessly line theinner thighs of a wearer with particular utility for equestrian,bicycling or motor sports applications. As best shown in FIGS. 8A-8C,gusset member 12L extends around an elongated area of the inner portionsof leg members 22 between opposed parallel seams extending from a frontportion of seam 26S adjoined to a bottom edge of waistband 26 to a topedge of open torso portion 22 to form an inner leg panel extending fromopposed seams in the front and rear sides of leg members 24. In variousembodiments of this multifunctional support garment 20 as illustrated,the lower portion of open torso portion 22 bifurcated along a pair ofinner seams defining a pair of leg members 24 is spaced back from crotchregion 2C and are adjoined to gusset member 12L along a pair of opposedseams disposed longitudinally along corresponding front and rear sidesof leg members 24 that descend to converge to form inner seams 121 alonga portion of the inner seams configured to fit about a lower portion ofthe wearer's legs, preferably below the knees. As best shown in FIGS. 8Band 9B, seams adjoining gusset member 12L and leg members 24 ascend toopen torso portion 22. The rear panel seams merge in the rear side ofopen torso portion 22 to form substantially transverse seam 22T. Thefront panel seams extend along a longitudinal axis and areperpendicularly adjoined between a corresponding bottom edge ofwaistband 26 and top edge of open torso portion 22. In variousembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8A-9C, substantially transverse seam22T is spaced no more than one half of a distance between top edge seam26S of the open torso portion and the posterior edge 12A of crotchregion 22C, as shown in FIG. 8. In various embodiments, substantiallytransverse seam 26T is less than five inches and, in some embodiment, isless than three or four inches from seam 26S adjoining the bottom edgeof the waistband 26.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C and 9A-9C, various embodiments of themultifunctional support leggings according to the present inventionfurther include a pair of leg members 24 having a top edge adjoined toopposed left and right sides of the bottom edge of the waistband 26wherein each of the pair of leg members has a front side edge and a rearside edge longitudinally disposed between the front top edge and thebottom edge. As further exemplified in FIGS. 8B and 9B, an uppermostportion of the rear side edges of the open torso portion 22 adjacent tothe bottom periphery of the rear portion of the waistband 26 areadjoined along a substantially perpendicular axis in an upper verticalseam substantially centered on a rear side of the open torso portion,and the rear sides of the pair of leg members have opposed substantiallytransverse edges perpendicularly disposed along a bottom edge of theupper vertical seam and the rear side edges descend downwardly to form arear opening having symmetrical sides, and wherein the rear side edgesare disposed along a substantially longitudinal axis As shown in thelatter embodiment, gusset member 12L may be bifurcated to form a pair ofelongate side panels continuously adjoined to at least an upper portionof the front side edge and the rear side edge of the leg members. Asshown in FIGS. 8A and 9A, gusset member 12L may be further elongated toform an integral front panel configured for abutting at least a portionof the wearer's front lower torso that has a front edge adjoined to amiddle portion of the bottom edge of the front side of the waistband soas to abut at least portion of the wearer's abdomen. As further depictedin FIGS. 8A-8C and 9A-9C, gusset member 12L may be elongated andconfigured for abutting at least a portion a wearer's rear lower torso22 to form an integral rear panel attached along a substantiallytransverse seam 22T of the rear side of open torso portion 22. As shownin FIG. 8C, the front side seam and the rear side seam of the legmembers of various embodiments may be adjoined along a lower portionextending to the bottom edge.

As with other embodiments such as shown in FIGS. 1-7, embodimentsexemplified in FIGS. 8A-8C and FIGS. 9A-9C include hammock member havingopposed elongate side edges disposed between an anterior terminus and aposterior terminus, wherein the anterior terminus is attached to amiddle portion of an upper edge of the front panel or a lower edge ofthe front portion of the waistband to thereby form a detachable slingconfigured for underlying a pubic crease and adjacent pelvic region ofthe wearer, wherein the gusset member and the hammock member arejuxtapositioned so as to provide a pelvic support junction configured tosupport the pelvic floor of the wearer.

In various embodiments such as shown in FIGS. 9A-9C and 11, hammockmember 14D may be attached b one of more detachable fasteners. As shown,detachable hammock member 14D includes anterior terminus which isdetachably adjoined to a middle section of the top edge of the opentorso portion 22 and a corresponding bottom edge of the front side 26Sof waistband 26 by detachable fasteners 14F of which corresponding snapsand closures are affixed on an aligned back surface proximate to ananterior edge of hammock member 14L and an aligned respective interiorsurface on the front side of the open torso portion proximate to abottom seam of waistband 26. An aligned snap and closure of rearfastener 14R affixed proximate to a posterior terminus of hammock member14D is adjoined to an interior surface of rear side of the open torsoportion 22 proximate or along a bottom edge of waistband 26.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9C and 11, the detachablefasteners are schematically depicted as snaps 14F and 14R. However,various alternative commercially available fasteners may be used todetachably affix hammock member 14D. Such detachable fasteners mayinclude, without limitation, are snaps, buttons and holes, and hook andloop material. In various configurations exemplified by hammock member14, 14′, 14″ such as illustrated in FIGS. 3-3C, 6-6C, 7A-7C and 8A-8Cmay also be provided in a detachable configuration.

A yet further advantage imparted by the conjoined configuration andorientation of gusset member 12, 12′, 12″ and 12L, hammock member 14,14′, 14″ and 14D, open torso portion 2, 2′, 2″ and 22 and waistband 6,6′, 6″ and 26 of support garment 10, 10″, 10′″, 10″″ and 20 is anexpanded range of motion enabled by the added flexibility of the slingconfiguration and seam configuration, as detailed in the followingparagraph, of the pelvic support junction depicted as a hammock member14, 14′, 14″ and 14D in the accompanying figures whereby the crotchregion 2C, 22C of the support garment comfortably moves with the wearerwithout constricting pressure being exerted to localized portionsincluding the side edges of the hammock member 14, 14′, 14″ and 14D. Itcan therefore be seen that when properly fitted, the configuration ofgusset member 12, 12′, 12″ and 12L, and hammock member 14, 14′, 14″ and14D, together with their tethered conjunction to waistband 6, 6′, 6″ and26 and open torso portion 2, 2′, 2″ and 22 enhances freedom of movementand averts clinging to the pubic crease, including the sensitiveperineum region and adjacent pelvic surface. Hence, the pelvic supportjunction of the present support garment exemplified by the illustratedembodiment provides a flexible and durable yet comfortable slingplatform readily adaptable to a wearer's motion.

In addition to adaptively conforming and thereby enhancing a wearer'srange of motion, the adjoined orientation and juxtaposition of thegusset member, hammock member relative to waistband and open torsoportion as shown in the various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-11imparts a yet further advantage of improving adaptive strength anddurability by distributing pressure or strain exerted in the crotchregion by hip and pelvic motion along the curvilinear seams convergingat opposed anterior terminus 14A and posterior terminus 14B junctions.This configuration disperses the strain that is imposed on a singlepoint where four seams—inner seams of the leg members and front and backlower torso seams—converge in a corner rendering the crotch region ofsuch conventional designs prone to splitting and tearing due to thefocused strain of a wearer's movement. In contrast, the multifunctionalsupport garment according to the various embodiments of the presentinvention distributes such strain of movement across dual seams betweenthe gusset member and inner hollow leg portion of the open torso portionand the fabric therebetween attenuates wear and tear exerted on thecrotch region by leg, hip and pelvic motion associated with walking,bending, stretching and any movement involving the lower body. Hence, inaddition to providing enhanced range of motion, the configuration of thegusset member enhances the strength and durability of themultifunctional support garment of the present invention as compared toconventional leggings and pant designs having four corners joining fourseams together in the crotch region which are prone to splitting andtearing.

Among the multifarious efficacies and advantages provided by theopen-sided sling configuration of the hammock member and juxtapositionof the gusset member is the unconstrained range of movement about thepelvic region facilitated thereby. That is, the dual point attachment ofthe anterior terminus to waistband and the posterior terminus of thehammock member to the posterior edge of the gusset member therebyharnessing the pelvic support junction imparts a firmly supportive yetadaptable fit that comfortably accommodates wide range of motion of thewearer.

Another advantage of the hammock member of the present invention such asexemplified the accompanying illustrated embodiments is provision of anadaptive platform for attaching an absorbent pad. The open sides of thehammock member are particularly adaptable and facile as a platform forcomfortably securing a bulky postpartum absorbent pad 16 such asillustrated in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the open sides are configuredto enable adhering wing tabs extending from opposed sides of anabsorbent pad 16 to an underlying portion of the hammock member. Inobviating the need for multiple garments or layers for lower torsosupport and attaching absorbent pads or shields to protect againstinadvertent leakage of bodily fluids, the various embodiments of thepresent invention provide a support garment provide a streamlined singlelayered garment without bulky layers or unsightly bulges, lines, orcrevices associated with uneven peripheries and seams of multiple layersof garments.

An additional efficacy imparted by the detached side edges of hammockmember enables attaching adhesive backed wing tabs to the underside ofthe hammock member. By thus adhering wing tabs of an absorbent padaround the opposed side of edges to the bottom surface of the hammockmember imparts advantages of enhancing the secure bonding and shieldingfrom leakage of bodily fluids of a wearer in a single garment therebyaffording the efficacies afforded by the support garment of the presentinvention including, without limitation, convenience and streamlinedappearance.

In addition to simultaneously providing compressive support of thepelvic floor abdomen that simultaneously enhances range of motion andcomfort, as well as, a platform for attaching absorbent pads forshielding bodily fluid discharges from leakage, a yet further advantageof the gusset member and hammock member configuration of the presentinvention is the capability of sizing the support junction in accordancewith the size of the leggings and a particular application. Inparticular, the parameters of the support junction may be conformed to awearer's anatomy, activity or application by adapting the parameters ofthe gusset member and hammock member to the size grading of the leggingsor other support garment according to various embodiments of the presentinvention. Hence, the configuration and orientation of the gusset memberprovides enhanced convenience, comfort, range of movement, smoothappearance and enables attachment of protective absorbent pads withoutadditional undergarments.

It can therefore readily be seen that multiple efficacies and advantagesare provided by the sling configuration and juxtaposition of the hammockmember and gusset member in the pelvic support junction and waistband ofthe support garment according to the present invention. As described indetail and illustrated herein, the various embodiments of the presentinvention simultaneously provide in a single garment, durable andadaptable fit that optimizes range of motion while maintaining firmpelvic floor and abdominal support without the inconvenience, unsightlylines, bulk and/or potential discomfort of an added layer of underwearor support bands or accessories, or undergarments.

Suitable materials for the present support garment include any flexiblefabric or textile having a smooth, comfortable surface and textureadaptable to the contour of a wearer, and are preferably stretchable,durable, wicking and/or absorbent. It is particularly preferred toinclude an absorbent material in the various embodiments of the hammockmember of the present invention. Exemplary fabrics include may besynthetic and include, for example, nylon, polyester, polypropylene,spandex and blends thereof. Suitable textiles also include naturalfibers including cotton, bamboo, wools, silks and blends of syntheticmaterials and/or natural fibers. Preferred embodiments also includeelasticized or stretchable components such as, for example, spandex,polyester, neoprene, rubber and blends thereof. The waistband 6 of thecurrent invention is preferably composed of highly expandablecompression material including, for example, commercially availablespandex and polyester blends.

Embodiments including the illustrated design may utilize expandableseams that may be sewn with slack capable of expanding when pulledand/or configured with commercially available elasticized thread. Somepreferred embodiments may employ triple stitching in adjacent parallellines are sewn such as illustrated in the figures to thereby provideflat, even, durable and flexible or expandable seams. Alternatively, zigzag stitching, laser or heat welding or other suitable mode for affixingthe seams of this invention may be employed.

The waistband, gusset member, hammock member, and open torso portioncombination providing the pelvic support junction and associatedadvantages may be incorporated in variously designed garments, patternsand designs exemplified in, but not limited to, FIGS. 1-11.

Referring to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6A-11, it is readilyseen that multifunctional support garment 10′, 10″, and 20 includes awaistband 6′, 6″ and 26 having a bottom periphery that is adjoined to atop edge of open torso portion 2′, 2″ and 22 configured for fittedconformance about at least a lower torso of the wearer bifurcating at amidline at a crotch region 2S to form leg members 4, 4′, 4″ and 24. Asshown in FIGS. 1-10, an inner top periphery of inner seams 2I and 22I ofleg members 4, 4′, 4′ and 24 curve or angle inwardly toward a middleportion of a rear side of open torso portion 2′, 2″ and 22 so as tomerge along substantially transverse seam 2T′, 2T″ and 22T. At a crotchregion 2S inner seams 2I and 22I of leg members 4, 4′, 4′ and 24 areadjoined to corresponding edges of gusset member 12′, 12″ and 12L toenable adaptive motion while simultaneously bolstering pelvic supportjunction for the muscles, skeletal components and adjacent organs of thelower abdomen as exemplified in the various embodiments of themultifunctional support garment shown in FIGS. 1-7C.

A particularly efficacious feature providing adaptive compression forthe pelvic support junction, as shown in FIGS. 3, 3A, 6B, 6C, 7B, 7C,and 9B, 9C, of the illustrated embodiments is gusset member 12, 12′, 12″and 12L, which is configured to correspond with inner edges of hollowleg members 4, 4′, 4″ and 24 and a rear portion of open torso portion 2,2′, 2″ and 22 so as to form an adaptive matrix extending between thecrotch region 2C and 22C and the rear side of upper torso portion 2, 2′,2″ and 22. Affixing the posterior terminus 14B, 14B′, 14B″ and 14L ofhammock member 14, 14′, 14″ and 14L to a portion of the rear edge of thegusset member 12, 12′, 12″ and 12L within or proximate to a seam 6A, 26Sthereby snugly seats hammock member 14, 14′, 14″ and 14L along thelength of a wearer's pubic crease extending between a lower edge-ofwaistband 6, 6′, 6″ and 26 to the substantially transverse seam 6A, 26Son the rear side of open torso portion 2′, 2″ and 22 imparts compressivesupport to the pelvic floor. As best shown in FIGS. 3A, 7B-7C, 8B, 8C,9B, 9C gusset member 12, 12′, 12″ and 12L corresponding inner topperiphery 2T, 2T′ and 22T on the rear side of upper torso 2, 2′, 2″ and22 may be variously dimensioned.

In various embodiments such as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C and 9A-9C, legmembers 22 have a front side with a front side edge and a rear sidehaving a rear side edge with aligned top edges adjoined to a bottomperiphery 26S on the left side and the right side of waistband 26. Anuppermost portion of the rear side edges of the open torso portion ofleg members 22 adjacent to the bottom periphery of the rear portion ofthe waistband are adjoined along a substantially perpendicular axis inan upper vertical seam substantially centered on a rear side of the opentorso portion. The rear sides of the pair of leg members have opposedsubstantially transverse edges perpendicularly disposed along a bottomedge of the upper vertical seam and the rear side edges descenddownwardly to form a rear panel having rear side edges extended from thesubstantially transverse edges toward a crotch region, and wherein therear side edges are disposed in substantially parallel alignment along asubstantially longitudinal axis in a direction toward a crotch region soas to orient the substantially transverse edges at least three inchesfrom the bottom periphery of the rear portion of the waistband.

In such latter embodiments, gusset member 12L spanning a crotch regionhas an integral front panel adjoined to at least an upper portion of thefront side edge and an integral rear panel adjoined to an upper portionof the rear side edge of the leg member 24. As shown, gusset member 12Lis elongated to form an integral front panel for abutting at least aportion of a wearer's abdomen, wherein the integral front panel has afront edge that is adjoined to a middle portion of the bottom edge 26Sof the front side of the waistband 26 so as to abut at least portion ofthe wearer's abdomen. The integral rear panel of gusset member 12L isadjoined along the substantially transverse edge of the integral rearpanel to form a substantially transverse seam 22T along at least aportion of a rear side of the lower open torso portion 22. As furtherillustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C and 9A-9C, gusset member 14L is bifurcatedinto elongate inner leg panels adjoined to corresponding front sideedges of leg members 24 along front side seams and adjoined tocorresponding rear side edges of the leg members 22 along rear sideseams and configured for abutting at least a portion of an inner thighsof the wearer, and wherein a lower portion of the front side edges andthe rear side edges of leg members 22 merge to form a pair of opposinginner seams 12I of the pair of inner leg panels of gusset member 12Ladjoining the front panels and rear panels of leg members 24, as shownin FIG. 8C.

In order to protect a wearer's skin from irritation, chafing, sorenessand abrasions particularly prevalent in endurance and high impactsports, a particularly advantageous feature of the various embodimentsis provided by including in at least a portion of the gusset memberand/or hammock member of the various embodiments, particularly such asexemplified in FIGS. 8A-8C and 9A-9C, an absorbent or wicking and/orresilient material for cushioning and absorbing friction and impactforce. Providing such a material combined with compressive support ofthe wearer's abdominal, pelvic and leg musculature and skeletal systemsand adjacent organs provides the additional advantage of containing themovement of organs and muscles during vigorous and extended exercise ormovement thereby reducing risk of strains and pulls renders the depictedleggings embodiments of the present invention well suited for activitiesand exercises involving repetitive and continuous bumping, jostling andrubbing such as equestrian and endurance sports.

In sum, the multifunctional support garment of the present inventionsimultaneously provides comfortable, streamlined, adaptable, reliableand durable support of the pelvic floor and lower abdomen and awell-positioned platform along the pubic crevice and pelvic region forabsorbing body fluids and free range of motion in the crotch regionwhile imparting a pelvic support junction. By so providing compressivepelvic floor support together with abdominal support, a platform forincorporating and/or attaching absorbent feminine or adult outerwearshields in a comfortable in a flexibly adaptive pelvic support junctionenabling free range of motion in the crotch region, the presentmultifunctional support garment integrates functionalities ofundergarments, support accessories and absorbent pads and shieldmounting systems in a single, streamlined and versatile garment that canbe worn as a single layer or overlaid by outerwear.

The description herein is not intended to delimit the scope of thisinvention which extends to various embodiments of the support garment ofthe present invention. For example, the pelvic support junction could beintegrated with the open torso portion and hollow leg members of thepresent invention. In alternative embodiments, the pelvic supportjunction could extend downwardly and be joined along a seam in the upperportion of the leg members. Other embodiments may employ a waistbanddisposed about the waist or upper abdomen or may gird the rib cage ofthe wearer. In further alternative embodiments, the gusset member 14 mayalternatively be tacked onto upper edges of the hollow leg members inspaced intervals or along seams, that may be configured in a mirroredparabolic shaped along opposed peripheral edges of the gusset member.

It is therefore contemplated that other embodiments not illustrated inthe drawings or described herein are considered to be within the scopeof the present invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly,configurations and combinations shown and described not specificallyshown may diverge from those claimed and specified herein. The scope ofthe present invention thus includes any equivalent configuration orcombination of the embodiments described herein.

1. A multifunctional support garment, comprising: a waistband configuredto envelop and adaptively support an abutting portion of the wearer'storso, wherein the waistband has a front portion and a rear portion; anopen torso portion configured for fitted conformance with an abuttingportion of the wearer's lower torso, wherein the open torso portion hasan upper portion with a front side and a rear side having an aligned topedge, and wherein a bottom edge of the waistband and a top edge of theopen torso portion are adjoined, and wherein a lower portion of the opentorso portion is bifurcated at a crotch region along a pair of inneredges to form a pair of leg members extending downwardly along asubstantially longitudinal axis from the front side and the rear side ofthe open torso portion, and wherein the rear side of the open torsoportion has a substantially transverse edge extended back from thecrotch region; a gusset member configured for fitted correspondence withat least a portion of a wearer's lower torso, wherein the gusset memberis continuously adjoined to an upper portion of the pair of inner edgesof the leg members to form a pair of inner seams that merge in asubstantially transverse seam adjoining the substantially transverseedge of the rear side of the open torso portion to a posterior edge ofthe gusset member; and a hammock member having opposed elongate sideedges disposed between an anterior terminus and a posterior terminus,wherein the anterior terminus is adjoined to a front portion of thewaistband and a front side of the open torso portion such, and whereinthe posterior terminus is adjoined to a corresponding rear edge of thegusset member and rear side of the open torso portion such that thehammock member provides a sling extending from a bottom portion of afront side of the waistband to the posterior end of the gusset member inthe rear side of the open torso portion, and wherein the elongate sideedges of the hammock member form a sling configured for underlying apubic crease and adjacent pelvic region of the wearer to thereby bolstera pelvic floor of the wearer.
 2. The multifunctional garment of claim 1,wherein the front portion of the waistband has a middle portion thatwidens between the bottom edge and a top edge of the waistband andwherein the waistband tapers toward the rear portion, wherein the rearportion is less wide between the bottom edge and the top edge than thefront portion of the waistband.
 3. The multifunctional support garmentof claim 1, wherein an uppermost section of the substantially transverseseam of the rear side of the open torso portion is disposed less thanhalf the distance between a front edge of the gusset member and thebottom edge of the waistband.
 4. The multifunctional support garment ofclaim 1, where an uppermost section of the substantially transverse seamof the rear side of the open torso portion is spaced no more than fiveinches from the lower edge of the waistband.
 5. The multifunctionalsupport garment of claim 1, wherein the gusset member is bifurcated atthe crotch region and elongated to form inner leg panels, and whereinthe inner leg panels has outer edges adjoined to at least a portion ofthe pair of inner seams of the leg members so as to abut at least aportion of the wearer's inner thighs and wherein a lower portion of thefront side edges and the rear side edges of the pair of leg membersmerge to form a descended inner seam extending below a bottom junctureof the gusset member with the front side edges and the rear side edgesof the pair of leg members such that the descended inner seam extendstoward the bottom edge of the pair of leg members.
 6. Themultifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein at least a portionof the gusset member includes a resilient material.
 7. Themultifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein at least a portionof the gusset member includes an absorbent material.
 8. Themultifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein at least a portionof the hammock member is an absorbent matrix.
 9. The multifunctionalsupport garment of claim 1, wherein the hammock member is configured fordetachable attachment of an absorbent pad.
 10. The multifunctionalsupport garment of claim 1, wherein the pair of leg members compriseleggings configured for fitted conformance with at least a portion ofthe wearer's legs.
 11. Multifunctional support leggings, comprising: awaistband having a front portion and a rear portion continuouslydisposed between a left side and a right side disposed between a topperiphery and a bottom periphery that are coterminous, wherein thewaistband is configured for adaptive support of at least a portion ofthe wearer's lower torso; a pair of leg members having an open torsoportion with a front side and a rear side having respective top edgesadjoined to a bottom periphery on the left side and the right side ofthe waistband, wherein each of the pair of leg members has a frontportion with a front side edge and a rear portion with a rear side edgeand the front side edges of the respective pair of leg members, whereinan uppermost portion of the rear side edges of the open torso portionadjacent to the bottom periphery of the rear portion of the waistbandare adjoined along a substantially perpendicular axis in an uppervertical seam substantially centered on a rear side of the open torsoportion, and the rear sides of the pair of leg members have opposedsubstantially transverse edges perpendicularly disposed along a bottomedge of the upper vertical seam and the rear side edges descenddownwardly to form a rear panel having rear side edges extended from thesubstantially transverse edges toward a crotch region, and wherein therear side edges are disposed in substantially parallel alignment along asubstantially longitudinal axis in a direction toward the crotch regionsuch that the substantially transverse edges are spaced downwardly a setdistance from the bottom periphery of the rear portion of the waistband;a gusset member spanning a crotch region and elongated to form anintegral front panel configured for abutting at least a portion of thewearer's front lower torso, wherein the integral front panel has a topedge that is adjoined to a middle portion of the bottom periphery of thefront side of the waistband so as to abut at least portion of thewearer's abdomen, wherein a pair of opposed side edges of the integralfront panel are adjoined to at least an upper portion of the front sideedges of the pair of side panels and wherein the gusset member has anintegral rear panel adjoined to an upper portion of the rear side edgesof the pair of leg members and wherein a back edge of the gusset memberis adjoined along the opposed substantially transverse edges in asubstantially transverse seam along at least a portion a rear side ofthe lower open torso portion, wherein the gusset member is bifurcated atthe crotch region and elongated to form a pair of inner leg panels, andwherein the pair of inner leg panels have outer edges adjoined to atleast a portion of the pair of inner seams of the leg members so as toabut at least a portion of the wearer's inner thighs and wherein a lowerportion of the front side edges and the rear side edges of the pair ofleg members merge to form a pair of opposing inner seams of the pair ofinner leg panels of the gusset member, and wherein the opposing innerseams adjoin front panel and the side panel of each of the pair of legmembers proximate to the bottom edges of the pair of leg members; and ahammock member having opposed elongate side edges disposed between ananterior terminus and a posterior terminus, wherein the anteriorterminus is attached to a middle portion of an upper edge of the frontpanel and a bottom edge of the front portion of the waistband andwherein the posterior terminus is attached along a middle portion of asubstantially transverse seam adjoining an upper edge of the rear paneland a posterior edge of the gusset member to thereby form a slingconfigured for underlying a pubic crease and adjacent pelvic region ofthe wearer, wherein the gusset member and the hammock member arejuxtapositioned so as to provide a pelvic support junction configured tosupport the pelvic floor of the wearer.
 12. The multifunctional supportleggings of claim 11, wherein the set distance of an uppermost sectionof the substantially transverse seams are disposed less than half thedistance between the crotch region and the lower edge of the rear sideof the waistband.
 13. The multifunctional support leggings of claim 11,wherein the set distance of an uppermost section of the substantiallytransverse seams are spaced no more than five inches from the lower edgeof the waistband.
 14. The multifunctional support leggings of claim 11,wherein the anterior terminus and posterior terminus of the hammockmember are attached by detachable fasteners.
 15. The multifunctionalsupport garment of claim 14, wherein the corresponding detachablefasteners are members of the group consisting of snaps and snapclosures, buttons and button holes, and hook and loop material.
 16. Themultifunctional support leggings of claim 11, wherein at least a portionof the gusset member includes an absorbent material.
 17. Themultifunctional support leggings of claim 11, wherein at least a portionof the gusset member includes a resilient material.
 18. Themultifunctional support leggings of claim 14, wherein at least a portionof the hammock member includes an absorbent material.
 19. Themultifunctional support leggings of claim 18, wherein the absorbentmaterial is an absorbent pad.
 20. The multifunctional support leggingsof claim 11, wherein the hammock member is configured for detachableattachment of an absorbent pad.